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The Congressional Connector |
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October 13 - 17, 2008 |
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House Approves Unemployment Insurance Extension, but Hurdles Remain
On October 3, the House of Representatives passed legislation [H.R. 6867] to provide seven weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state; further, it would provide an additional 13 weeks in States – including Michigan – with high unemployment rates. Unfortunately, the Senate was not able to overcome Republican opposition and approve the unemployment insurance extension before recessing for the fall elections.
Speaking in favor of the bill on the House Floor, Rep. Levin said, “Madam Speaker, this morning a jobs report came out. It paints a truly devastating picture for the American economy and for American families. In September, we had the biggest 1-month job loss in over 5 years. Long-term unemployed rose dramatically, up 167,000, to a total of 2 million; 775,000 people will exhaust the first emergency extension this month alone, over 1 million by the end of the year, unless we act.”
Rep. Levin supports the efforts of Congressional leaders to return in November to extend unemployment insurance and take other vital steps to stimulate the economy.
Auto Retooling Loan Signed into Law
On September 24, the House approved a sweeping budget bill that included a provision sought by the Michigan Congressional Delegation to fund $25 billion in low-interest loans for automobile manufacturers that retool their plants to build advanced-technology vehicles in the United States. The House passed the bill on a vote of 370 to 58. The Senate approved the legislation a few days later and the President has signed the measure into law.
Rep. Levin said, “The domestic auto industry is critical to the health of the U.S. economy, and these loans will put advanced technology vehicles in the fast lane. This is a win-win for jobs, for reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and strengthening our industrial sector.”
The focus now shifts to getting the Department of Energy to implement this program as quickly as possible.
Congress Clears Mental Health Parity Bill
After years of effort, the House and Senate have approved legislation to end discrimination against patients seeking treatment for mental illnesses. The bill prohibits health plans from imposing treatment or financial limitations when they offer mental health benefits that are more restrictive from those applied to medical and surgical services.
Rep. Levin spoke on the measure when it was considered in the House on September 23: “I first became involved with mental health services over 50 years ago when my beloved late wife, Vicki, worked in the network of child guidance clinics in Oakland County, Michigan. Those clinics tried to fill huge gaps in mental health services which in most cases were not covered by any insurance.... Twelve years ago, Congress and President Clinton came together to approve legislation that put this country on the road to mental health parity. It was a vital first step. Today, we take another important step towards genuine mental health parity.”
For more information, click here.
The President signed the Mental Health Parity legislation into law on October 3.
Congress Approves Great Lakes Compact
On September 23, on a vote of 390 to 25, the House of Representatives gave final approval to a multi-state agreement to ensure that Great Lakes water is not diverted to other regions. The agreement prohibits the bulk diversion of water from the Great Lakes, with very limited exceptions. The Compact further establishes a comprehensive management framework to protect this shared resource and requires Great Lake states to regulate their own large-scale water use.
Speaking in favor of the Compact, Rep. Levin said: “Passage of this legislation today is essential to the health of the Great Lakes. With the approval of the Compact, at long last we will close the door to bulk diversion of Great Lakes water.... There is no question that we're in a much stronger position to protect the Great Lakes with the Compact than without it.”
The Compact was signed into law on October 3.
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